MDF manages seven programs that range from from community development, to leadership training, to workforce development. Economic research is done in both private and public sectors not only in Maine, but throughout the US as well.

Recently released, the 2010 Measures of Growth report, is an economic report card that measures 24 indicators against established benchmarks. Movement towards or exceeding the benchmarks are indications of improvement or progress towards long-term, sustainable economic growth.

The Growth Council awards Gold Stars to indicators that demonstrate exceptional performance and assigns Red Flags to indicators that need attention.

In this years report, which is the 16th in its history, the Council awarded Gold Stars to Per Capita Personal Income and Health Insurance Coverage. The Council gave Red Flags to Research and Development Expenditures, Higher Degree Attainment, Cost of Health Care, and Cost of Energy.

The report is really quite informative, especially when reviewed against the turbulent economic times we (and are) experiencing.

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The unanimous 4-0 vote by the board comes after a year of debate and was supposedly based on the fact that the $12 million project did not meet the land use ordinance.

According to the board, buildings of four stories, such as the proposed hotel, must include an amount of year-round dwellings equal to the size of the fourth floor. Mr. Walsh maintained that, according to the LUO, the number of year-round dwellings is calculated by another measure, and that he had met that measure with his plans.

Despite local support for the project, including West Street business owners who urged the board to approve the hotel, citing conformity with the LUO, benefits to the local economy and tax base, and the aesthetic improvements the project would bring to the area, no agreement could be found.

This stalemate comes after Ocean Properties scaled back the hotel from 5 to 4 stories and added more more parking spaces to address the planning board’s concerns in October 2009.

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Sold Data Now Online

You will also find newest service, just introduced this week. Have you ever been interested in what a home sold for on your street. Now you can access that data yourself without going to city hall!

On our website you can do a live online search for any sold homes, condos and land for up to 12 months.

You can focus your inquiry by town, price range and even street address, and receive a synopsis of primary information, including price, date and listing company. It’s Pretty Cool, if i say so myself!

The information is being supplied directly from the Maine MLS and only certain data is available. As always, if you would like a custom report, just Email Us and we’ll get right back to you.

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At only 13% of its total volume, the Port of Portland ranks number 29th in the country, only one spot behind the west coast Portland, which is kind of surprising.

These photos were recently taken while the SKS Satilla was in port. If you happen to recognize this ship, it is the same one that nearly sank off the coast of Galveston in 2009 almost 1 year ago today.

The vessel struck a submerged oil rig, took on water and began to list precipitously. It was in danger of sinking, but eventually was rescued in time.

At the time the SKS Satilla was carrying 40 million gallons of oil, but not were released into the ocean.

The oil rig that damaged the ship was the Ensco 74, which was reported lost after Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

The rig turned out to be 90 miles from where it was initially, and surprisingly only 9 meters below sea level.

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In an announcement yesterday Old Portland Hospitality proposed a 122 room Hampton Inn, restaurant and small condo development for the property.

According to documents filed with the city, the project was valued at around $15 million.

The condo portion of this development is clearly much smaller than others that had been considered on this location (and others nearby).

Currently there are 175 condos on the market in Portland, ranging in price from $89,900 to $1,200,000, with a median list price of $189,900 or $207.70 per sqft. During the last 90 days 49 condo units and townhomes have sold at a median price of $203,000.

The graph below illustrates the current inventory of condos in Portland, as measured in “Months of Inventory”. The blue line represents “Days on Market”.

Inventory levels have dropped significantly during the last 12 months and perhaps January’s sales are evidence of overall improvement in the market.

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Winter in Maine often has days with a bright blue skys and this fellow was not alone. Last Saturday the park at Bug Light was filled with not only kite flyers, but many people just out for a walk or jog to enjoy the day.

Did you know the first kites were used approximately 2,800 years ago in China and were made of silk and bamboo. The philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban are often credited with the invention.

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The Portland International Marine Terminal will receive $5 million in federal economic stimulus funds to improve pier access and cargo operations. The Port of Searsport will receive $7 million for new equipment, including a heavy-lift mobile harbor crane. The Port of Eastport will receive $2 million for a warehouse, conveyor equipment and storage pad.

The funds are part of the Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant program.

There is an expectation that the improvements will enable the ports to accommodate new products such as wind turbine components. Maine has received a total of $141 million in transportation-related stimulus money for 75 highway, bridge and transportation projects.

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Revisions to Section 14-526(a) of the City Code, Site Plan Standards.

Modifications to the development review process and procedures of Article V of the City Code.

Revisions to the City of Portland Technical and Design Standards and Guidelines.

Implementation of new development review tracking software.

This is a large and complicated undertaking and the Chamber has hired land use attorney Bill Plouffe to keep abreast of all changes and draft commentary as necessary.

Details of the proposed changes are available at the Chamber’s website: Proposed Revisions. There you can also find a link to Chris O’Neil, who is associated with the Chamber and keeps the public up-to-date with things going on in the City Council.

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The new owners formed the company Old Port Hospitality LLC to make the purchase. They also own the Opeechee Construction company located in Belmont, NH. Although the terms of the transaction were not disclosed, it is believed the final price was significantly below the listed amount of $4.75 million.

Opeechee Construction has experience in Maine, including such projects as the AAA regional headquarters in Portland, Hampton Inns in Augusta, Bath and Ellsworth, the Comfort Suites in Biddeford, the Comfort Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites in Scarborough, and the Holiday Inn Express in Freeport.

Woglom said that although there are no firm plans for the Jordan’s site, and no specific timeline, he expressed an interest in a hotel and office tower – something that was of the right size and scope for Portland. Before any work can be done the company will need to secure financing, obtain city permits and identify and sign the right tenants.

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Currently there are 1.3 million acres of reserved lands identified as state & national parks or through easements on private land, which guarantee public access for recreation.

In addition, the public has access to some of the 2 million acres owned by private conservation organizations or preserved through easements, bringing the total to 3.3 millions acres.

The 3.3 million total acres comprise nearly 17.8% of Maine’s total land., which represents and increase of 6% conserved lands in 2003.

Maine is 95 percent privately owned.

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